PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio

Identify different system thinking tools and techniques to aid project managers solve project problems.

In this week, I have learned about the system thinking tools and techniques that help project managers in solving the problems in managing the project. In this week, I got to learn that system thinking is an approach that helps in analysing the manner in which different parts of the system are connected with each other and in what manner the system works. It is an effective approach for solving the problems and decision making.

The system thinking approach studies the system by breaking it into small parts. System thinking makes use of computer simulation and different graphs and diagrams in order to predict the behaviour of the system. It helps in effective estimation of the time and cost of the project, understands the needs of the stakeholders of the project (Rouse, 2018).

I got to know this week that there are many tools and techniques that can be used to make system thinking work. The system tools include brainstorming tools, structural thinking tools, dynamic thinking tools and computer based tools. The project manager can identify the problems and solve them with the help of these tools. The tools can help in making the right decision by understanding the problem in an effective manner (APM, 2018).

System engineering is an approach that enables the understanding of successful systems. It helps in defining the needs of the customers and helps in providing a balanced system solution. With the help of systems thinking, the problem can be resolved, optimized and dissolved through analysing the problem from different perspectives. The system engineering can help in understanding the system and improving the system in order to deliver an effective project.

I learned that portfolio management helps in prioritizing and estimating the resources for the project management but it does not help in solving the problems of the project (BSI, 2015).

The implementation of the systems thinking and systems engineering would have provided an effective understanding related to the problem and solving the problem. The analysis of the system is important. The lack of understanding related to the systems thinking resulted in a disaster.BP does not have a good idea about systems thinking (Well integrity , 2011).

The readings provide insights related to the usefulness of the tools and techniques of systems thinking. It provided with the information that the use of suitable tools can help in solving the problems in the project. The tools can help in providing an understanding related to the problem in a visual and computerized manner. It is easier to solve the problems with the help of system thinking in the project. The understanding related to systems thinking and the tools of system thinking can help me in the future to get the opportunity to manage the project and solve the problems in the project. Above all, I learned that it is important to see the problem from different perspectives in order to solve it.

References

APM. (2018). Systems thinking: How is it used in project management? APM.

BSI. (2015). Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on portfolio management. BSI Standards Publication.

Rouse, M. (2018). systems thinking. 

Well integrity . (2011). Chief Counsel’s Report | 2011 National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Well integrity.